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Michael Cuddyer's ailing knee 'feels pretty much the same'

WASHINGTON -- New York Mets left fielder Michael Cuddyer feels no distinguishable difference with his ailing left knee since beginning a different oral anti-inflammatory medication on Monday.

Cuddyer, dealing with a bone bruise below the kneecap, is out of the starting lineup for a second straight day on Tuesday as the Mets play an important series against the first-place Washington Nationals.

"It feels pretty much the same," he said pregame.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis starts in left field.

A team official indicated that the Mets might still be a couple of days away from a DL decision involving Cuddyer.

"That's something we'll have to continue to discuss," Cuddyer said. "It's a fluid situation right now. There's no hard deadline."